This week is Kevin Max week, for Kmax is releasing his second solo offering,
an EP. Not only do we have the review in cMusicMail this week, but look at
cMusicWeb.com for an exciting interview with Kevin Max. Also, make sure to
check out the review of Ian Eskelin's solo project as well as the
Supertones' latest. As always, keep checking back for new content at
cMusicWeb.com.

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BETWEEN THE FENCE AND THE UNIVERSE - KEVIN MAX (2004)
by Becca Tuttle

Kevin Max is the musical equivalent of abstract art. As if his intense
vibrato was not enough to set him apart from other artists, Kevin's lyrics
are vague and symbolic, essentially poems set to music, and the music itself
does not conform to any fixed genre. Like abstract art, he is difficult to
understand and easy to dismiss as strange. However, it is this
individuality, as his fans are quick to relate, that draws people to his
music. Three years after the release of his solo debut, Stereotype Be, KMAX
has suddenly reappeared on the American music scene with an exciting new EP.
With its six tracks, Between the Fence and the Universe promises music to
satisfy fans, tiding them over until his sophomore album hits the shelves in
early 2005.

As the strongest song on the EP, "Seek" makes a fitting introduction and
sets the tone for the tracks that follow. It's also arguably the most
distinctly Christian song that KMAX has released since his dc Talk days, as
the relaxed verses give way to a compelling rock chorus that pulls directly
from Matthew 7:7. The lyrics exalt the Lord in a way only Kevin Max could,
ranging from poetic ("And I know you're the answer / For the wizened fool /
'Cause you blow away every myth / They taught me in Sunday school") to just
plain bizarre ("You are bigger than Paris France / or Bagger Vance").

"21st Century Darling" finds KMAX in grittier territory than ever before,
offering a fast-paced, electric guitar-driven song whose cynical lyrics
challenge the distorted values of modern society. The pace slows briefly
during the chorus, providing a momentary lull that makes the ensuing raspy
scream more powerful in contrast. Droning humming during the bridge presents
a brief throwback to dc Talk's "Dive," but the déjà vu is short-lived when
the song builds to an explosive peak just before its sudden end. The track
spans only a brief 2:34, but the short length is strangely appropriate, the
song a quick burst of anguish that cuts off as abruptly as it begins.

"Irish Hymn"'s plodding rhythm and dreary lyrics give it a depressing, bar
song quality that is interesting if not a bit wearisome. Unfortunately, the
EP takes a turn for the worse after this track as it struggles
unsuccessfully to maintain the musical quality of the first half. "Stranded
72.5" exchanges the album's prevailing '80s rock for an upbeat, softer
approach, relying on Kevin's double-layered harmony to add interest to the
melody. Regrettably, the song loses momentum with its bland, monotonous
chorus and isn't quite able to recover. "Golden" fails simply for its
musical banality—its pace almost identical to the earlier "Irish Hymn" and
its music a blend of the slower tracks from Stereotype Be. The song's slight
redemption is the three minutes of random music and wordless vocals tacked
on the end. This interlude serves as the EP's only trace of the
middle-eastern influences that saturated Stereotype Be—an unfortunate
absence that was felt heavily by this reviewer.

The last track, "To the Dearly Departed," is the extreme example of KMAX's
abstract approach to music. Much like "Golden," its lyrics seem to offer
relationship commentary, perhaps drawing from KMAX's recent divorce. The
song's synthesized rhythm has a strange stammer, giving the irritating
sensation that the CD is continually skipping. The vocals sound almost
discordant at the beginning, and the lack of strong instrumental back-up
gives the song an echoing, deserted sound. A sudden lapse into murmured
poetry (the likes of which also occur periodically throughout the CD) is
artistic but frustratingly difficult to understand. Chorus harmony softens
the song's unnerving edge with its contemplative feel, but an eerie,
repeated wail ensures that the song concludes on a creepy note. The bizarre
final product will put off some listeners, yet it manages to define KMAX
perfectly—simultaneously reflective and eccentric—in an appropriate end to
the EP.

Between the Fence and the Universe essentially promises three worthwhile
songs—a percentage out of the total six that, although not glowing, would
more than justify its purchase at a lesser price than a regular CD. Avid
KMAX fans and diehard dc Talk followers will no doubt want to pick up a
copy, if only to investigate Kevin's new direction. For the more hesitant
supporters, there is always the option of holding out for the new CD... if
they can bear the wait.

Find out more about Kevin Max at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/kevinmax


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Interview: Kevin Max
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/dctalksoloupdate/kevinmax.shtml

Review: Save The Humans - Ian Eskelin
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/ianeskelin/savethehumans.shtml

Review: Revenge of the O.C. Supertones
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/supertones/revenge.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

BETWEEN THE FENCE AND THE UNIVERSE - KEVIN MAX
See review above for the story on this PICK OF THE WEEK.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE - NICOLE C. MULLEN
Although she's only released a couple albums, she's still the darling of the
Christian music industry. The next generation's Amy Grant, Mullen crafts
beautiful pop songs with a fusion of R&B and other styles.

LIVE FROM ATLANTA CD/DVD - CASTING CROWNS
For the avid Casting Crowns fan only, this overpriced promotional item only
has a 6-song live set on DVD and CD. Yeah, and there's only one new song.


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View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


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